India fast emerging as global leader in medical innovation: Jitendra Singh

India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership prioritises technology-driven progress in the healthcare sector, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to completing 10 lakh genome sequencing in the coming years to enable more accurate disease prediction and personalised interventions. Inaugurating the Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine at AIIMS - Jammu, the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office said the country was well on its way to leading the world in genomic health care.

Set up in collaboration with 4base Care, the centre aims to usher in a new era of personalised medicine, leveraging cutting-edge genomic research to provide targeted treatment based on individual genetic profiles.

Underscoring the transformative potential of gene therapy, the Minister emphasised that with genomic advancements, doctors would no longer rely on a one-size-fits-all approach but would tailor treatments to maximise efficacy and specificity for each individual.

The newly-launched Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine places AIIMS- Jammu among the frontrunners in India’s medical research landscape. By integrating genomic data with AI-driven diagnostics, the centre aims to enhance early disease detection, optimise treatment strategies, and reduce the trial-and-error approach in medical prescriptions.

Experts at the event noted that this facility would play a pivotal role in advancing precision oncology, cardiovascular genomics and genetic screening for rare disorders.

Jitendra Singh pointed out that India has prioritised technology-driven progress in the healthcare sector. He cited the government’s efforts in promoting indigenous research and biotechnology, highlighting the exponential growth in India’s bio-economy—from a mere $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $130 billion today, with an ambitious target of $300 billion in the near future. He further stated that with over 9,000 biotech startups compared to just 50 in 2014, India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in medical innovation.

The Minister stressed the need for an India-specific genomic database, highlighting the country’s unique genetic diversity. “India is a subcontinent in itself, with over 4,600 distinct demographic groups. Our gene sequencing efforts, which have already mapped 10,000 healthy individuals across 99 communities, will help create a robust dataset tailored to Indian-specific health challenges,” he said.

Jitendra Singh also pointed out the resurgence of infectious diseases alongside the rise in non-communicable diseases, urging a hybrid approach combining traditional diagnostics with genetic insights. “India has already proven itself in preventive healthcare, pioneering innovations like the world’s first DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine and the HPV vaccine. With this new centre, we will further strengthen our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases using cutting-edge technology,” he said.

A key objective of the centre is to make precision medicine affordable and accessible to the masses. While personalised treatments have traditionally been costly, AIIMS-Jammu aims to leverage indigenous research and government-backed biotech initiatives to bring down costs and integrate precision medicine into public healthcare programmes.